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Fans have come to count on three things during Jerry Jones' 22 years as owner of the Dallas Cowboys: the media spotlight always shining bright on Valley Ranch, aggressive marketing and the club never drafting an offensive lineman in the first round.

But with a front wall that sports only one starter under 30, there's a good chance the book on Jones will soon need a rewrite.

“That's an area (of need) that's pretty obvious,” Jones said of the offensive line during an interview at the scouting combine.

The Cowboys own the ninth pick in the three-day NFL draft, which begins Thursday. It's their highest since they selected cornerback Terence Newman out of Kansas State with the fifth pick in 2003.

Dallas hasn't selected an offensive lineman in the first round in 30 years. The last one was Missouri's Howard Richards, grabbed at No. 28 in 1981.

But many draft analysts believe that trend will come to an end with injury-plagued right tackle Marc Colombo set to turn 33 this season.

Analysts project the muscular Smith as a top-10 pick. If the Cowboys select Castonzo, Solder or Carimi, it likely would be only after they trade down in the first round.

“It's really a question of what you are looking for,” ESPN's Todd McShay said. “Are you looking for a guy who physically can come in and play right now? Are you looking for a guy who has the athleticism to develop into a left tackle, or a guy who is just big and strong who you can plug at right tackle? You kind of have four different cases.

“With Smith, you have all the tools, but he maybe needs time to reach full potential. Castonzo is ready to play now at left tackle, but he may never be elite. Carimi is ready to play now, but he lacks some of the athleticism Castonzo has but is stronger and more physical. With Solder, he is just massive, 6-foot-8, long arms, moves well. But he is going to need technique work.”

Most analysts believe Smith is high on the Cowboys' board after head coach Jason Garrett and offensive line coach Hudson Houck attended USC's pro day. The 20-year-old junior was the only prospect Garrett watched work out this spring.

“Castonzo is probably the most NFL ready, and Carimi is right behind him,” McShay said. “But five years from now, Smith should be the best of this tackle class.”

Smith played right tackle for the Trojans, but scouts believe he could slide over to the left side after checking in at his pro day at 6-5, 310 — 25 pounds heavier than he played at last season.

Cowboys left tackle Doug Free could become a free agent after a new collective bargaining agreement is reached. McShay and another ESPN draft guru, Mel Kiper Jr., predict Dallas will select Smith to eventually play left tackle.

“In Smith, they have the option of taking a player who projects as a future blindside tackle, and he's in a perfect spot in terms of value, having risen all the way to No. 9 on the big board,” Kiper wrote.